Old Testament
Jeremiah 14:18
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
"If I go out to the countryside, I see people cut down by the sword. If I walk into the city, I see people wasting away from hunger. Even the prophets and priests wander through a land they no longer recognize.'"
Compare translations
If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.
What Jeremiah 14:18 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah describes the devastation he witnesses in both the countryside and the city. He sees people killed by violence and others suffering from starvation. The situation is so dire that even the religious leaders, the prophets and priests, are lost and confused in a land that has become unrecognizable to them. This imagery highlights the severity of the crisis facing the people of Judah, emphasizing the widespread suffering and the failure of leadership to provide guidance or hope. The land, once familiar and prosperous, is now a place of despair and chaos, reflecting the consequences of turning away from God. Jeremiah's observations serve as a poignant reminder of the impact of sin and disobedience on a community, leading to destruction and loss of identity.
How to apply Jeremiah 14:18 to your life
This verse encourages us to recognize the consequences of turning away from God. It reminds us to seek spiritual guidance and support from our leaders and community, especially in times of crisis. We should also be aware of the suffering around us and respond with compassion and action.
Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Esther's story: Esther Becomes Queen (Esther 2:1–18)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Esther
Photo: Deror Avi, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source. Location: Tel Shiloh archaeological site, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Shiloh
Where Israel set up the tabernacle, and where God called the boy Samuel.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Jeremiah 14:18
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Jeremiah 14:18
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Jeremiah
- Author
- Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
- Written
- Around 600 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah before and during the Babylonian exile
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Jeremiah 14:18 reveal about the state of Judah?
Jeremiah 14:18 illustrates the dire conditions in Judah, where violence and famine have devastated the population. The imagery of people being cut down by the sword and others wasting away from hunger highlights the severity of the crisis. This reflects not only physical suffering but also a spiritual desolation, as even the prophets and priests are depicted as lost in a land they no longer recognize, indicating a failure of leadership and guidance.
How can we apply Jeremiah 14:18 to our lives today?
Jeremiah 14:18 serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. In our lives, we can apply this by being vigilant about our spiritual health and the health of our communities. It encourages us to seek guidance from spiritual leaders and to be compassionate towards those suffering around us. Recognizing the signs of spiritual and moral decline can prompt us to take action and support those in need, fostering a sense of community and responsibility.
What themes are present in Jeremiah 14:18?
The themes in Jeremiah 14:18 include destruction, famine, and violence, which reflect the physical and spiritual crises in Judah. Additionally, it highlights leadership failure, as the prophets and priests are unable to provide direction or hope. Spiritual confusion is also a key theme, as the land has become unrecognizable due to the people's disobedience to God. These themes underscore the consequences of sin and the importance of maintaining a relationship with God.
Why are the prophets and priests mentioned in Jeremiah 14:18?
The mention of prophets and priests in Jeremiah 14:18 emphasizes the failure of spiritual leadership during a time of crisis. These leaders, who are supposed to guide and support the people, are depicted as wandering in confusion, unable to recognize their own land. This highlights the broader theme of spiritual desolation and the impact of collective sin, as even those tasked with providing hope and direction are lost amidst the suffering.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.